Multinational effort rebuilds runway

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Russell Wicke
  • 455th Expeditionary Operations Group Public Affairs
BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan (AFPN) --  Servicemembers from five nations are working together to rebuild the runway here.

Completion of this Army-funded project is anticipated for November, according to Capt. Elton Sledge, of the 455th Civil Engineer Squadron. Airmen from the 455th CES are working with Army engineers and servicemembers from Thailand, South Korea, Poland and Slovakia.

The runway’s reconstruction is necessary because of its dilapidated condition, said Sledge.

“This runway has been here a long time,” he said, “and it wasn’t maintained very well by the Taliban. There are drainage problems, and sections of the runway are sliding, sinking and cracking.”

Because this is the base’s only runway, half of it must remain open for aircraft to use, officials said.

“We’re working on the west side of the runway right now replacing pads,” said Master Sgt. David Lennemann, the 455th CES superintendent for airfield repair and operations. In August, workers will move to the east side of the runway.

“Right now aircraft are using a 90-foot-wide landing strip, which is pretty tight,” Lennemann said.

A standard width is about 180 feet, the estimated size of Bargam’s finished product, he said.

“Everyone working this project is doing a great job,” said Sledge, “but one particular group that stands out is the Thais. They are very hard workers -- very dedicated.”

Everyone involved in this project has been a valuable asset, Sledge said.

“Without a doubt, we have a great team of people and a good, quality product,” said Lennemann. “We work hard, and we play hard.”